Crumbing mechanism for excavating machines or the like

ABSTRACT

A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines including a mounting assembly for detachable connection to the boom structure of the machine and a crumbing shoe having a boxlike and reinforced bridge construction detachably connected by the mounting assembly to the boom for excavating operations rearwardly of the digging unit of the machine. The mounting assembly includes a selectively adjustable and lockable arrangement for laterally orienting and locking the crumbing shoe in its active position in aligned following relation rearwardly of the machine digging unit, and the mounting assembly and crumbing shoe conjunctively include a selectively adjustable and lockable arrangement for selectively raising or lowering the crumbing shoe into and out of active position.

United States Patent [72] inventors [21 Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented [73] Assignee [54] CRUMBING MECHANISM FOR EXCAVATING MACHINES OR THE LIKE 22 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl 172/743, 37/94, 37/80 R, 172/72, 172/200 [51] Int. Cl. E011 5/14, E02f 5/08 [50] Field of Search 37/83, 84, 86-91, 94-97; 172/666, 743, 600, 459, 460, 71, 72, 200. 785; 214/138 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,044,196 7/1962 Kinney 214/138 X 1,038,915 9/1912 37/90 1,039,412 9/1912 37/95 1,239,474 9/1917 37/86 UX 1,759,647 5/1930 Kincannon 172/785 1,760,940 6/1930 172/600 1,832,010 11/1931 172/459 X 1,911,615 5/1933 37/94 1,928,778 10/1933 172/743 X 2,560,711 7/1951 172/743 X 2,618,212 11/1952 Hedquist et al 172/666 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,049,307 11/1966 Great Britain 214/138 Primary Examiner- Robert E. Pulfrey Ass/slam ExaminerC1ifford D. Crowder Attorney-Team, Teare & Sammon ABSTRACT: A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines including a mounting assembly for detachable connection to the boom structure of the machine and a crumbing shoe having a boxlike and reinforced bridge construction detachably connected by the mounting assembly to the boom for excavating operations rearwardly of the digging unit of the machine. The mounting assembly includes a selectively adjustable and lockable arrangement for laterally orienting and locking the crumbing shoe in its active position in aligned following relation rearwardly of the machine digging unit, and the mounting assembly and crumbing shoe conjunctively include a selectively adjustable and lockable arrangement for selectively raising or lowering the crumbing shoe into and out ofactive position.

PATEN-TEuunv 9 IE]?! SHEET 2 [IF 2 E o T E N P v m FIG.4:

MELVIN K. REAR ATTORNEYS FIG.6

CRUMBING MECHANISM FOR EXCAVATING MACHINES OR THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in excavating, trenching or ditching machines, and more particularly relates to an excavating, construction for a crumbing mechanism which may be selectively and expeditiously oriented into and out of the active position with respect to the digging unit of machine.

Heretofore, crumbing mechanisms for excavatingmachines have been known in the art which generally include a crumbling shoe attached to the outer end of a boom structure. This shoe extends downwardly from the boom to the floor of the trench or excavation, and is shaped so as to shove or propel loose material on the floor of the excavation forwardly so that it may be picked up by the digging unit of the machine and removed from the excavation to maintain the floor of the excavation relatively clean. In addition, such crumbing mechanism also facilitates maintenance of a constant grade trench bottom by stabilization of the digging unit at its depth of operation. It has also been known in the art to swingably mount such crumbing mechanism on the outer end of the boom for pivotal movement in agenerally vertical'plane, so that the crumbing shoe can be selectively moved into'and out of active position, thus providing for raising of the shoe clear of the trench, and thereby increasing-the positioning characteristics of the machine. Various mechanismsfor so pivoting the crumbing mechanism have included various types of cable and crank arrangement geared winding drums and/or lever arrangements or power-actuated fluid cylinder arrangements. Though for the most part being satisfactory for these purposes, such prior machines have not generally contemplated the problems nor have they provided a satisfactory construction for a crumbing mechanism which can be quickly and easily mounted on the boom for selective and expeditious lateral orientation of the crumbing shoe so as to maintain the shoe in generally parallel and aligned following relation rearwardly of the digging unit of the machine for precise crumbing operations within the trench, and particularly with respect to relatively deep and narrow excavations. In addition, such prior machines have not provided an efficient arrangement for raising and loweringthe crumbing shoe into and out of active position within a predetermined limited range with respect to the boom, and hence with respect to the bottom of the excavation. Furthermore, prior crumbing mechanisms-have not provided a completely satisfactory construction for the crumbing shoe so as to incorporate relatively lightweight, yet highstrength characteristics for the crumbing operations and which acts to stabilize the digging unit as the desired depth of operation so as to maintain a relatively constant grade at the bottom of the excavation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A crumbing mechanism for mounting adjacent one end of a boom structure of an excavating machine or the like comprising, a mounting assembly having selectively adjustable means for laterally orienting the assembly with respect to the boom and locking means for locking the assembly in the laterally oriented and aligned active position on the boom. A crumbing shoe including an attachment means adjacent one end is adapted for selectively adjustable detachable connection to the mounting assembly so that the crumbing shoe is maintained in generally parallel and aligned relation with respect to the digging unit of the machine. The crumbing shoe includes an elongated boxlike structure having a reinforced bridgelike construction which extends downwardly from the attachment means. The crumbing shoe includes a generally arcuate, in side elevation forward section and a spaced, generally planar rearward section which sections terminate at the ends remote from the attachment means in a toe and heel structure for engagement with the bottom of the excavation.

By the foregoing arrangement, there is provided a novel crumbing mechanism which is of a simple, yet rugged, lightweight construction for use with excavating machines, and particularly for crumbing operations within relatively deep and narrow excavations. The crumbing mechanism includes a novel mounting assembly for selectively and expeditiously positioning the crumbing shoe into and out of active position and includes a locking arrangement which is operative to lock the crumbing shoe in the active or inactive position upon simple manual actuation, which is made from a minimum number of parts, and which requires a minimum of time and effort for assembly and disassembly thereof. By this arrangement, the crumbing shoe may be selectively laterally oriented with respect to the digging unit of the machine so as to be maintained in generally parallel and aligned following relation rearwardly of the'digging unit. In addition, by this arrangement the crumbing shoe may be quickly and easily raised and lowered within a predetermined dimensional range by simple manual actuation so as to accommodate the crumbing shoe to various size digging units and/or with respect to the excavation to be dug. The crumbing shoe is of an elongated boxlike structure which has a reinforced bridgelike construction to incorporate lightweight, yet high-strength characteristics for stabilizing the digging unit, thereby maintaining a relatively constant grade at the bottom of the excavation. This improved crumbing mechanism is comparatively uncomplicated in construction and can be readily employed with existing excavating machines or can be readily embodied in new machines with a minimum expense and effort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the crumbing mechanism of the invention and shown mounted on an excavating machine of the type with which it may be employed;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary generally perspective view showing the mounting assembly and crumbing shoe of the invention as mounted on the boom structure of the machine shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevation view of a part of the mounting assembly removed from the assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view, partially cut away, of the crumbing mechanism of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of the crumbing shoe removed from the assembly of FIG. I; and

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the crumbing shoe shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In general, and referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated an excavating machine, designated generally at 2, which may be employed in the instant invention. As shown, such machine may include a main frame 6 supported on rotatable tractor treads 8 for movement along the ground, and a main powerplant 10, such as an internal combustion engine or the like, supported on the forward end of the frame 6. A mast structure 11 is mounted on the rearward end of the frame 6 for pivotally supporting, as at 12, a vertically movable boom structure 13. An endless digging wheel or unit I4 is rotatably mounted on the boom structure 13 by means of a frame 15 and wheel 16 arrangement, and drivingly connected to the motor unit 10 by chain and sprocket arrangement, designated generally at 17. The boom structure l3 being pivotally connected to the mast structure 11 may be pivoted through a generally vertical plane and may be raised or lowered on the mast structure 11 by suitable carriage arrangement, not shown. The boom structure 13 may be actuated by a cable 18 and pulley 18a arrangement by means of winding drums 19 mounted on the machine frame in a manner known in the art. It will be understood that other structural arrangements and systems could be utilized for controlling the movement of the boom structure 13 and associated digging unit 14 without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the machine shown, the digging unit 14 includes a plurality of digging elements 7 which cooperate in a sawtooth relation for excavating operations. The frame 6 also mounts adjacent its rearward end a plowlike arrangement 9 for transferring excavated material discharged from the digging unit 114. Reference is made to the copending US. Pat. application of Vincent S. Penote et al., Ser. No. 783,244 filed Dec. 12, 1968, for a detail showing of the digging elements and plow arrangement which may be used in conjunction with the novel crumbing mechanism of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the crumbing mechanism of the instant invention may be employed with other excavating, trenching or ditching machines, as desired.

Now in accordance with the invention, the crumbing mechanism includes a mounting assembly which may be detachably connected for selective angular orientation on a generally U-shaped cross-structure 21 (FIG. 2) which is attached, as by weldments or the like, adjacent the free end of the boom structure 13. The assembly 20 detachably mounts an elongated, boxlike structure 50 generally known as a crumbing shoe on the cross-structure 21 in a manner so that the crumbing shoe may be selectively laterally oriented and raised or lowered into the active position with respect to the digging unit 14, as shown in FIG. I.

The mounting assembly 20, in the form shown, includes a boxlike body 22 having an attachment bracket 24 which together define the generally T-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 3. The body 22 includes a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed sideplates 26 and 28 which extend generally parallel to one another and which are connected together intermediate their ends by a back or cross plate 30. The plates 26 and 28 are provided adjacent their opposed ends with registered apertures 32 and 36 which are adapted to receive therethrough suitable fasteners 65 and 67 (FIG. 2), such as cotter-held bolts, in the installed position thereof. The body 22 is pivotally mounted on the cross-structure 21 by means of a fastener 35, such as a bolt, which is insertable through an aperture 34 in the plate and through another aperture 36 provided in a blocklike member 37 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which may be attached, as by weldments or the like, to the underside of the boom structure 13. The fastener may be adjustably locked by a retainer 38, such as a nut or the like, so as to provide a pivot center for rotational movement of the mounting assembly about a generally horizontal axis with respect to the support structure 21.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bracket plate 24 is generally of an S-shaped, in side elevation, construction which includes a generally vertically extending cross plate 42 which may be secured, as be weldments or the like, to the back of the sideplates 26 and 28. The plate 42 is provided adjacent its upper end with an integral outwardly extending generally lateral flange plate 44 which includes a pair of oppositely disposed threaded apertures 46 adapted to receive therethrough suitable fasteners 47 (FIGS. 2 and 4,) such as setscrews or the like. By this arrangement, the fasteners 47 may be threadedly inserted through the apertures 46 so as to coactingly bear against the confronting upper surface of the cross-structure 21 to facilitate angular orientation of the mounting assembly 20 about its pivotal connection, as at 34, 35, as aforesaid.

In the invention, the plate 42 is provided with a pair of generally arcuate slots 48 (FIG. 3) disposed on opposite sides of plates 26 and 28 which are adapted to receive fasteners 49, such as bolts or the like, which may be inserted through apertured channel members 39 (FIG. 4) which may be secured interiorly adjacent the end of the boom 13. The fastener 49 may be adjustably locked by suitable retainers 49, such as nuts or the like, to selectively lock the mounting assembly 20 by means of the clearance provided by the slots 48 in the desired angular orientation with respect to the pivot center 34, 35 to achieve an effective parallel alignment of the crumbing shoe 50 with respect to the digging unit 14.

The plate 42 may further include adjacent its bottom a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed webs 38 and of generally triangular configuration (FIG, 2) which may be secured, as by weldments or the like, to the sideplates 26 and 28 to enhance the strength characteristics of the combined body 22 and bracket 24 arrangement of the mounting assembly 20. As shown, the distance or width W between the plates 26 and 28 is preferably dimensioned so as to be slightly greater than the maximum outsidewidth W of the attachment means 52 of the crumbing shoe 50 (FIG. 6), as will be described hereinafter.

As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the crumbing shoe 50 is of an elongated boxlike structure having an attachment section 52 and a depending shoe section 54 having a bridgelike reinforced construction and which terminates in an angularly inclined heel and toe section 56. The upper attachment section 52 includes a boxlike body defined by a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed sideplates 58 and 60 which are joined together intermediate their ends by a generally U-shaped bridgepiece 66.

Ready raising or lowering of the crumbing shoe 50 may be achieved by providing opposed ends of each of the plates 58 and 60 with two pairs of spaced, aligned apertures 62, 64 and 68, 70, respectively, which are registerable with the respective apertures 36 and 32 in the mounting assembly 20. The respective registered apertures are adapted to receive locking elements 65 and 67, such as cotter-held bolts or the like. By this arrangement, the attachment section 52 may slide between the sideplates 26 and 28 of the mounting assembly 20 and may be locked therein against further movement for holding the crumbing shoe 50 in a raised or lowered position by registration of the locking elements 65 and 67, as desired. The plates 58 and 60 are each made from a single piece of rigid metallic material including a reduced-width inclined section 59 and an integral enlarged weblike section 61. Preferably, the upper section 59 is disposed at an inclined angle (c), such as about 22 with respect to the section 61.

The depending crumbing shoe section 54 is of a bridgelike reinforced construction including a generally planar vertically extending rear channel plate and a spaced generally arcuate, in side elevation, forward channel plate 82 which plates 80 and 82 are secured, such as by weldments or the like, at their upper ends to the sideplates 58 and 60 of the attachment section 52. The plates 80 and 82 are attached at the opposite or bottom ends by an inclined channel plate 83 which is preferably disposed at an angle (d), such as about 73 with reference to the general plane of the plate 80. In the embodiment shown, the plates 80 and 82 are attached together by a plurality of pairs of crosspiece or braces, such as 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, 100 and 102, which extend transversely therebetween and adjacent opposed marginal edges of the plates 80 and 82. In the invention, the braces are all disposed at a predetermined angular relation with respect to one another and with respect to the plates 80, 82, and 83 to maximize the strength characteristics of the crumbing shoe. For example, it is preferred that the brace pairs 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, 94, 96 and 98 be disposed at an angle of about with respect to one another while the brace pairs 98 and ll00 are disposed at an angle of about 60 with respect to one another. In addition, the brace pairs I00 and 102 would be disposed at an angle of 90 with respect to one another while the pair 102 are disposed at right angles with respect to the plate 83 to provide the structural arrangement shown. Moreover, it will be seen by this arrangement that the 60 to 90 intersection between the respective brace pairs alternate or are disposed in staggered relation with respect to one another in a direction from the upper toward the lower end of the crumbing shoe to enhance the strength characteristics during normal usage thereof.

In the invention, the bottom plate 83 is provided on its underside with an under shoe plate 104 which may be secured thereto, such as be weldments or the like, while the forward plate 82 may be provided with a forward shoe plate 106 secured in a similar manner thereto. The plates are preferably made of a high-strength wearand abrasion-resistant mate rial, such as heat-hardened steel or the like, which may be readily replaced upon damage thereto or when it is desired to excavate a relatively wider trench or the like. The plates 104 and 106 merge together at one end, as at 108, to provide a relatively sharp toelike juncture for engagement with the excavated material within the trench. The plate 104 extends generally upwardly and outwardly (FIG. 5) away from the juncture 108 and is disposed at the aforementioned pitch angle (d) so as to provide a heellike structure for smooth sliding engagement with respect to the excavated material within the trench. Commencing at the point of tangency T (FIG. 5) or about one-third the distance below the sideplates 58 and 60, the crumbing shoe section 54 has a radius of curvature R generally corresponding to that of the digging unit or wheel 14 to maximize the crumbing operation during excavation by the digging unit.

ln a typical installation, the mounting assembly may be preassembled or assembled on the boom structure 13 by supporting the plate 44 on a confronting upper surface of the cross-structure 21 and by suitably tightening the pivot fasteners 35 and 38. The attachment section 52 of the crumbing shoe 50 may then be disposed between the sideplates 58 and 60 and locked in position by the locking elements 65 and 67, whereupon, the shoe may then be raised or lowered within predetermined dimensional limits as determined by the respective registerable apertures 62, 64, 68 and 70. Thus assembled, the crumbing shoe may then be laterally oriented in parallel aligned relation with respect to the digging unit 14 by selectively threadably actuating the pair of adjustment elements 47 (i.e. setscrews), which act to swing the shoe laterally either clockwise or counterclockwise about the pivot center 34, 35, so that the fasteners 49 ride in the arcuate slots 48 to control the extent of such movement for positioning the shoe in the desired aligned relation. Thus positioned, the pivot center fasteners 35, 38 and the pair of fasteners 49 may then be finally tightened for locking the crumbing shoe in the installed position thereof.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and descriptions of excluding any equivalents of any of the features shown and described, or portions thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

We claim:

1. A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines of the type having a chassis and a boom support structure pivotally mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom, said mechanism comprising,

mounting means mounted on said support structure adjacent the outer end thereof,

said mounting means including a generally boxlike body pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis,

an elongated, generally vertically depending crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means,

said body being open at least at one end and being adapted to receive said one end of said crumbing shoe in locked relation therein, and

selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said support structure for angularly orienting said mounting means about said horizontal axis for orienting said crumbing shoe with said excavating machine,

said selectively adjustable means includes a pair of spaced,

oppositely disposed generally arcuate slots disposed in said mounting means, and

a selectively adjustable fastener element adapted to be freely disposed through each of said slots for securement with said support structure to enable movement of said mounting means about its pivotal axis and to prevent such movement upon actuation of said fastener elements.

2. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 1 wherein said boxlike body being defined by a pair of spaced, 0p-

positely disposed sideplate members, and

said one end of said crumbing shoe being adapted to be inserted and adjustably held in locked relation between said plate members.

3. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, including another selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said crumbing shoe for locking said crumbing shoe in a raised or lowered operating position.

4. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein said crumbing shoe includes an upper attachment section and a depending crumbing shoe section,

said attachment section including a plurality of pairs of axially aligned apertures therein,

said boxlike body including a plurality of opposed pairs of I axially aligned apertures therein arranged for registration with respective pairs of apertures in said attachment section for selectively positioning said crumbing shoe in a raised or lowered active position.

5. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 4, wherein at lest one pair of said apertures being offset with respect to the other of said pairs of apertures for positioning said crumbing shoe in the raised position.

6. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, including selectively adjustable locking means associated with said mounting means and said one end of said crumbing shoe for selectively raising and lowering said crumbing shoe with respect to said support structure.

7. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 6, wherein said selectively adjustable locking means includes a plurality of registerable pairs of apertures in said mounting means, and said one end of said crumbing shoe, and

at least one detachable locking element adapted for insertion through a registered pair of said apertures to prevent shifting movement of said crumbing shoe with respect to said mounting means.

8. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim I, wherein said crumbing shoe is of a generally boxlike construction including an upper attachment section and a depending crumbing shoe section having a generally bridgelike reinforcement construction,

the latter section including an elongated generally planar rear support member and a spaced, generally arcuate forward support member joined together at the end remote from said attachment section by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined bottom member, and

a plurality of spaced, angularly disposed brace members extending between and holding said members together in generally rigid relation throughout their length thereof.

9. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 8, wherein said forward support member and said bottom member each include a correspondingly shaped wear plate member disposed on the exterior thereof, and

said least one plates merging at the lowermost extremity of said crumbing shoe registered in generally sharp toelike structure.

10. A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines of the type having a chassis and a boom support structure pivotally mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom, said mechanism comprising,

mounting means mounted on said support structure adjacent the outer end thereof,

said mounting means including a generally boxlike body pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis,

an elongated, generally vertically depending crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means,

said body being open at least at one end and being adapted to receive said one end of said crumbing shoe in locked relation therein,

a selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said support structure for angularly orienting said mounting means about said horizontal axis for orienting said crumbing shoe with said excavating machine, and

said selectively adjustable means includes a pair of spaced fastener elements threadedly disposed through said mounting means and adapted for bearing engagement with the confronting surface of said support structure.

11. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10, in-

cluding selectively adjustable locking means associated with said mounting means and said one end of said crumbing shoe for selectively raising and lowering said crumbing shoe with respect to said support structure.

12. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 11,

wherein said selectively adjustable locking means includes a plurality of registerable pairs of apertures in said mounting means, and said one end of said crumbing shoe, an

at least one detachable locking element adapted for insertion through a registered pair of said apertures to prevent shifting movement of said crumbing shoe with respect to said mounting means.

13. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10,

wherein said boxlike body being defined by a pair of spaced, op-

positely disposed sideplate members, and

said one end of said crumbing shoe being adapted to be inserted and ad justably held in locked relation between said plate members.

14. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 13, in-

cluding a transversely extending support bracket attached to and extending outwardly from said plate member adapted for overlying supporting engagement on said support structure, and

other selectively adjustable means threadably disposed through said bracket and adapted for selectively adjustable engagement with said support structure.

15. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10,

wherein said crumbing shoe is ofa generally boxlike construction including an upper attachment section and a depending crumbing shoe section having a generally bridgelike reinforcement construction,

the latter section including an elongated generally planar rear support member and a spaced, generally arcuate forward support member joined together at the end remote from said attachment section by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined bottom member, and

a plurality of spaced, angularly disposed brace members extending between and holding said members together in generally rigid relation throughout their length thereof.

16. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 15,

wherein said forward support member and said bottom member each include a correspondingly shaped wear plate member disposed on the exterior thereof. and

said wear plates merging at the lowermost extremity of said crumbing shoe section in a generally sharp toelike structure.

17. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10. in-

cluding another selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said crumbing shoe for locking said crumbing shoe in a raised or lowered operating position.

18. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10, wherein said crumbing shoe includes an upper attachment section and a depending crumbing shoe section,

said attachment section including a plurality of pairs of axially aligned apertures therein,

at least one pair of said apertures being offset with respect to the other of said pairs of apertures, and

boxlike body including a plurality of opposed pairs of axially aligned apertures therein arranged for registration with respective pairs of apertures in said attachment section for selectively positioning said crumbing shoe in a raised or lowered active position.

19. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 18,

wherein at least one pair of said apertures being offset with respect to the other of said pairs of apertures for positioning said crumbing shoe in the raised position.

20. A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines of the type having a chassis and a boom support structure pivotally mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom, said mechanism comprising,

mounting means mounted on said support structure adjacent the outer end thereof,

said mounting means including a generally boxlike body pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, an elongated, generally vertically depending crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means,

said body being open at least at one end being adapted to receive said one end of said crumbing shoe in locked relation therein,

a plurality of spaced, fastener elements adjustably mounted on said mounting means being adapted for coacting locking engagement with said support structure, and

each of said fastener elements bearingly engaging said support structure and coacting with one another to prevent angular movement of said mounting means about said horizontal axis and selectively orient said boxlike body with respect to said support structure.

21. A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines and the like comprising,

mounting means adapted for pivotal mounting on a support structure of an excavating machine,

an elongated crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means,

selectively adjustable means associated with said support structure and said mounting means for selectively controlling lateral, pivotal movement of said crumbing shoe with respect to said machine.

said mounting means includes a generally boxlike body open at least at one end defined by a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed sideplate members,

said one end of said crumbing shoe being adapted to be inserted and adjustably held in locked relation between said members,

said body being pivotally connectable to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis,

a transversely extending support bracket attached to and extending outwardly from said plate members adapted for overlying supporting engagement on said support structure, and

other selectively adjustable means threadably disposed through said bracket and adapted for selectively adjustable bearing engagement with said support structure.

22. A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines of the type having a chassis and a boom support structure pivotally mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom, said mechanism comprising,

mounting means mounted on said support structure adjacent the outer end thereof,

said mounting means including a generally boxlike body pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotalmovement about a generally horizontal axis,

an elongated, generally vertically depending crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means,

said body being open at least at one end being adapted to receive said one end of said crumbing shoe in locked relation therein, and

a selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said support structure for angularly orient- 

6. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, including selectively adjustable locking means associated with said mounting means and said one end of said crumbing shoe for selectively raising and lowering said crumbing shoe with respect to said support structure. 7 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 6, wherein said selectively adjustable locking means includes a plurality of registerable pairs of apertures in said mounting means, and said one end of said crumbing shoe, and at least one detachaBle locking element adapted for insertion through a registered pair of said apertures to prevent shifting movement of said crumbing shoe with respect to said mounting means.
 8. A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 1, wherein said crumbing shoe is of a generally boxlike construction including an upper attachment section and a depending crumbing shoe section having a generally bridgelike reinforcement construction, the latter section including an elongated generally planar rear support member and a spaced, generally arcuate forward support member joined together at the end remote from said attachment section by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined bottom member, and a plurality of spaced, angularly disposed brace members extending between and holding said members together in generally rigid relation throughout their length thereof. 9 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 8 wherein said forward support member and said bottom member each include a correspondingly shaped wear plate member disposed on the exterior thereof, and said wear plates merging at the lowermost extremity of said crumbing shoe section in a generally sharp toelike structure. 10 A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines of the type having a chassis and a boom support structure pivotally mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom, said mechanism comprising, mounting means mounted on said support structure adjacent the outer end thereof, said mounting means including a generally boxlike body pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, an elongated, generally vertically depending crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means, said body being open at least at one end and being adapted to receive said one end of said crumbing shoe in locked relation therein, a selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said support structure for angularly orienting said mounting means about said horizontal axis for orienting said crumbing shoe with said excavating machine, and said selectively adjustable means includes a pair of spaced fastener elements threadedly disposed through said mounting means and adapted for bearing engagement with the confronting surface of said support structure. 11 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10 including selectively adjustable locking means associated with said mounting means and said one end of said crumbing shoe for selectively raising and lowering said crumbing shoe with respect to said support structure. 12 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 11 wherein said selectively adjustable locking means includes a plurality of registerable pairs of apertures in said mounting means, and said one end of said crumbing shoe, and at least one detachable locking element adapted for insertion through a registered pair of said apertures to prevent shifting movement of said crumbing shoe with respect to said mounting means. 13 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10 wherein said boxlike body being defined by a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed sideplate members, and said one end of said crumbing shoe being adapted to be inserted and adjustably held in locked relation between said plate members. 14 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 13 including a transversely extending support bracket attached to and extending outwardly from said plate members adapted for overlying supporting engagement on said support structure, and other selectively adjustable means threadably disposed through said bracket and adapted for selectively adjustable engagement with said support structure. 15 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10 wherein said crumbing shoe is of a generally boxlike construction including an upper attachment section and a depending crumbing shoe section having a generally bridgelike reinforcement cOnstruction, the latter section including an elongated generally planar rear support member and a spaced, generally arcuate forward support member joined together at the end remote from said attachment section by an upwardly and rearwardly inclined bottom member, and a plurality of spaced, angularly disposed brace members extending between and holding said members together in generally rigid relation throughout their length thereof. 16 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 15 wherein said forward support member and said bottom member each include a correspondingly shaped wear plate member disposed on the exterior thereof, and said wear plates merging at the lowermost extremity of said crumbing shoe section in a generally sharp toelike structure. 17 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10, including another selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said crumbing shoe for locking said crumbing shoe in a raised or lowered operating position. 18 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 10 wherein said crumbing shoe includes an upper attachment section and a depending crumbing shoe section, said attachment section including a plurality of pairs of axially aligned apertures therein, at least one pair of said apertures being offset with respect to the other of said pairs of apertures, and said boxlike body including a plurality of opposed pairs of axially aligned apertures therein arranged for registration with respective pairs of apertures in said attachment section for selectively positioning said crumbing shoe in a raised or lowered active position. 19 A crumbing mechanism in accordance with claim 18 wherein at least one pair of said apertures being offset with respect to the other of said pairs of apertures for positioning said crumbing shoe in the raised position. 20 A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines of the type having a chassis and a boom support structure pivotally mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom, said mechanism comprising, mounting means mounted on said support structure adjacent the outer end thereof, said mounting means including a generally boxlike body pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, an elongated, generally vertically depending crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means, said body being open at least at one end being adapted to receive said one end of said crumbing shoe in locked relation therein, a plurality of spaced, fastener elements adjustably mounted on said mounting means being adapted for coacting locking engagement with said support structure, and each of said fastener elements bearingly engaging said support structure and coacting with one another to prevent angular movement of said mounting means about said horizontal axis and selectively orient said boxlike body with respect to said support structure. 21 A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines and the like comprising, mounting means adapted for pivotal mounting on a support structure of an excavating machine, an elongated crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means, selectively adjustable means associated with said support structure and said mounting means for selectively controlling lateral, pivotal movement of said crumbing shoe with respect to said machine, said mounting means includes a generally boxlike body open at least at one end defined by a pair of spaced, oppositely disposed sideplate members, said one end of said crumbing shoe being adapted to be inserted and adjustably held in locked relation between said members, said body being pivotally connectable to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, a transversely extending support bracket attached to and extending outwardly from said plate members adapted for overlying supporting engagement on said support structure, and other selectively adjustable means threadably disposed through said bracket and adapted for selectively adjustable bearing engagement with said support structure.
 22. A crumbing mechanism for excavating machines of the type having a chassis and a boom support structure pivotally mounted thereon and extending outwardly therefrom, said mechanism comprising, mounting means mounted on said support structure adjacent the outer end thereof, said mounting means including a generally boxlike body pivotally connected to said support structure for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis, an elongated, generally vertically depending crumbing shoe mounted at one end on and for pivotal movement with said mounting means, said body being open at least at one end and being adapted to receive said one end of said crumbing shoe in locked relation therein, and a selectively adjustable means associated with said mounting means and said support structure for angularly orienting said mounting means about said horizontal axis for orienting said crumbing shoe with said excavating machine, a transversely extending support bracket attached to and extending outwardly from said boxlike body adapted for overlying supporting engagement on said support structure, and said selectively adjustable means threadably disposed through said bracket and adapted for selectively adjustable bearing engagement with said support structure. 